Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available for those that request it.

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings. The Sub-Committee noted the Council’s Protocol for Webcasting of Council and Other Meetings.

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined the procedures and arrangements agreed by the Council, to enable persons to address the Sub-Committee in relation to the determination of applications for planning permission.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

(a)       Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillors Ms S Stavrou, Mrs P Brooks, W Pryor and  J Collier declared personal interests in agenda item 7 (4) (EPF/0687/08 Sweet News, 3 Market Square, Waltham Abbey) by virtue of being a members of the Waltham Abbey Town Council Planning Committee.  The Councillors declared that their interests were not prejudicial and indicated that they would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

(b)       Pursuant to the Council's Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Mrs A Cooper declared a personal interest in agenda items 7 (1) (EPF/0562/08 102 Western road, Nazeing) and 7 (2) (EPF/0563/08 104 Western Road, Nazeing) by virtue of being a member of the Parish Council.  The Councillor declared that her interests were not prejudicial and indicated that she would remain in the meeting during the consideration and voting on the item.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 14 May 2008 as correct record (attached).

         RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 14 May 2008 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee.  Two weeks' notice of non-urgent items is required.

It was reported that there was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.

(Director of Planning and Economic Development)  To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule

Background Papers:  (i)  Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule.  (ii)  Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control.

The Sub-Committee considered a schedule of applications for planning permission.

            RESOLVED:

            That, Planning applications numbered 1 – 4 be determined as set out in the annex to these minutes.

(Director of Planning and Economic Development) to consider the attached report.

In compliance with the recommendations of the District Auditor, the Sub–Committee received a report advising of the outcome of all successful appeals, particularly those refused contrary to officer recommendation. The purpose was to advise of the consequence of these decisions and inform of cases where costs could be awarded against the Council.

The Best Value Performance Indicator was for district councils to aim to have less than 40% of their decisions overturned on appeal. The latest figure for the national average for District Councils is 30.9%.  That BVPI was scrapped but recently replaced by one which records planning appeals only (not advertisement, listed buildings, enforcements, telecommunications or tree related appeals) and where the Council sets its own target – set this year to align with top quartile performance at 25%. In fact in recent years the Council has been more successful than the national average with only 18% in 2003/04, 29% in 2004/05, 22% in 2005/06 and 30% in 2006/07.

For the year 2007/08 as a whole: a total of 132 decisions were received – 120 planning appeals and 12 enforcement appeals. Of the 120 planning appeals 36 were allowed but none of the enforcement appeals – a total of 27.3% of the Council’s decisions being overturned.

For the Best Value Performance Indicator, which only considers appeals against the refusal of planning permission (so does not include advertisement, listed building, enforcement, telecommunications or tree-related appeals, nor appeals against conditions); the performance figure is 29%.

The Sub-committee noted that there was now a need not just to refuse an application on grounds of Overdevelopment, but that they would have to specify their objections.  They also noted that Plans West had the best results of all the Sub-committees.

RESOLVED:

That the Planning appeals decisions for October 2007 to March 2008 be noted.

(Director of Planning and Economic Development) Schedules of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning and Economic Development under delegated powers since the last meeting of a Plans Subcommittee may be inspected in the Members Room or at the Planning and Economic Development Information Desk at the Civic Offices, Epping.

The Sub-Committee noted that details of planning applications determined by the Head of Planning Economic Development under delegated authority since the last meeting had been circulated to all members and were available for inspection at the Civic Offices.